Candidate’s son charged in stabbing

Tuesday

Oct 30, 2012 at 6:00 AMOct 31, 2012 at 1:08 PM

By Elaine Thompson TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

A 17-year-old from Worcester is accused of stabbing two people at a Southboro party over the weekend.

James E. McCarthy of 16 Birmingham Road, Worcester, is charged with mayhem and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. At his arraignment yesterday, Judge Vito Virzi ordered the teen to stay away from the two alleged victims and the site of the incident. He also was ordered to remain drug- and alcohol-free and submit to random drug screens. The case was continued to Dec. 21.

The suspect is the son of William J. McCarthy, who is a candidate for the seat currently held by state Rep. James J. O’Day, D-Worcester, and president of the Worcester County Republican Club.

“This is a family matter, and my son is not part of the campaign,” Mr. McCarthy said. “There is an ongoing investigation. If everyone could please respect our privacy, and we’re hoping for the continued recovery of everyone involved.”

According to police, the teenager was at a party Friday night at 34 Constitution Drive in Southboro, where he pushed the female host and was told to leave. The alleged stabbings occurred when Mr. McCarthy tried to re-enter.

When police arrived shortly after midnight, Mr. McCarthy told them he had been stabbed and robbed by two men. Police said Mr. McCarthy did not have any stab wounds and later admitted that he owned the knife that officers found near the scene.

Police found two men, Samuel Dwiggins and Paul Ferguson, who had injuries consistent with being cut with a knife. The two men told police that after Mr. McCarthy was put out of the party, they refused to let him back in when he tried to retrieve his alcohol, which was still in the house.

“At this point, (Mr. McCarthy) takes out a knife and begins swinging the knife at (the two men), cutting them in several places,” police wrote in their report.

An Ashland police officer arrived with Gregory Polechronis, a friend of Mr. McCarthy’s, who told police it was Mr. McCarthy who started the fight and stabbed the two men. The wounds were not life-threatening. The two men were taken to MetroWest Hospital in Framingham, where they were treated and released.

The suspect’s mother, Deborah McCarthy, declined to comment when reached by phone at the family’s home yesterday afternoon. The elder Mr. McCarthy, 47, is a former Connecticut state trooper and is head of the criminal justice program at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester. He has previously run for Worcester County sheriff and Worcester city councilor.